Your Go-To Timeline for Wedding Stationery and Printed Accessories

Wedding planning is an art form. It is the delicate balance of timeliness and fitting all the pieces in place to bring your vision to life. Dates and deadlines may seem ambiguous for some details, but for selecting and mailing out your wedding stationery, there is a formula that you should apply in order to send the important information to your guests for your big day. Here is our tried-and-true timeline for you based on your wedding date. Just add your dates next to the paragraph header to help you keep track!

 

12-14 Months Before Wedding

Select your preferred stationery provider and set up a consultation

Find the stationer that fits your style and vision for your wedding. Book a consultation with them to discuss all the details, themes, colors and more for your big day. You can decide what direction you would like to go with your printed needs - if a beautifully, pre-made template would suffice, or if you would like to do something totally custom. You can chat about upgrades such as pocket folders, wax seals or belly bands to accent your stationery, and of course, the costs involved. Also, see about wedding day accessories, such as ceremony programs, reception menus, name cards and more. If available, request a sample kit, to see different print techniques and see and feel tangible samples. Then say ‘I do’ to your stationery style!
 

12 Months Before Wedding

Order Save-the-Dates

The Save-the-Date is the first piece of printed stationery your guests will see. This important piece will give your guests the basic information for your big day - the date and location of your nuptials so your guests will be able to put that date in their calendars and start planning their travel arrangements. 
 

10-12 Months Before Wedding

Send the Save-the-Dates

Get those wedding day details in your guests’ hands to get them excited about your upcoming celebration! 

6-8 Months Before Wedding

Order the Invitations

Your invitation suite should reflect you and your partner's style while setting the tone for the wedding and giving more information about the big day, such as ceremony time and place, reception information, and other details you would like to include. Traditionally, an invitation suite includes an Invitation card, an RSVP card and a Details card. The RSVP card is a critical planning tool as it will provide your guests the opportunity to let you know if they will or will not be able to attend, their preferred meal selections, share any food allergies, etc. Make sure you put a return date so you can communicate to your venue and other vendors about your guest list count. The Details card is a place where you can put any extra information for your guests that cannot fit on the Invitation, such as hotel information for out-of-town-guests, directions to the venue and more. Accent your invitation suite with a belly band, wax seal or a pocket folder for a little extra flair! 

 

3-6 Months Before Wedding

Send the Invitations 

Mail out the Invitations to your guest list so they can confirm their attendance and finalize making plans to celebrate with you on your big day!

 

2-3 Months Before Wedding

Order Day-Of Accessories

The RSVP Cards have been returned, and you know who is going to be celebrating with you on the big day! Now it is time to start thinking about your printed needs for your wedding day and beyond.

The Ceremony Program is a great way to showcase the events of the ceremony while also highlighting the important people in your wedding party and ceremony. This is also a great place to send a huge heart-felt thank you to your guests for being there to witness your commitment. 

Three important printed pieces for the reception are The Menus, Table Number Cards and the Reception Name Cards. These add that extra special touch to the celebration and should coordinate with theme and color to your wedding. The Menu is just that - the wonderful meal that you and your guests will share, whether it showcases plated meal options or lists buffet choices!  This card is sometimes also used for table games, fun facts about the bride and groom and more!  The Table Number Cards help your guests find their assigned tables/seats and the Reception Name Cards help your guests further to find their seats.

Order Wedding Party / Guest Gifts

 

Want to give your wedding party, parents, ring bearer, flower girl or guests a special gift that they can remember the occasion by? Now is the perfect time to order these personalized gifts to show your gratitude.

Order Thank You Cards

The most important stationery piece is the Thank You Card! Send your appreciation to your guests for coming (and gifting!) you and yours on your big day. Order these now to send out after your wedding.

The Big Day

Relax-Nothing to do but enjoy your celebration! Congratulations! 

 

1-2 Months After Wedding

Send Thank You Cards

Phew! What a whirl-wind of excitement and emotions. After you let the dust settle and you’ve had a chance to enjoy your new chapter as ‘newlyweds,’ it is time to send out those thank you notes to your guests for their gifts and attendance at your wedding.

 

So, there you have it! A timeline for ordering and sending out your wedding stationery. Follow the above guide to give your guests the information, at the time they need it, to celebrate with you and your fiance during this wonderful time. Happy planning! 

The Printed Event offers beautiful, cohesive stationery pieces and accessories for your big day. Choose from dozens of gorgeously-crafted templates that you can personalize with your own details, or work with our design team to create something completely unique and original. They also design and print signage, napkins and custom laser engraved gifts for your guests and wedding party.  Visit www.theprintedevent.com for more information on how they can create the perfect wedding stationery and printed goods for your celebration!  

 

 

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